Yuan Shao was eventually released, but the Yuan family paid a heavy price, having spent countless sums of money and resources to recommend Zhang Yan as the governor of Bing Province.
Although they hated Zhang Yan to the core, now was not the time for revenge. Their primary target was not Zhang Yan, but Lu Ming.
Lu Ming had plundered the Yuan family's collection of books and texts, the foundation of their family's heritage. Without books, there was no voice.
Studying was merely a means to seize power…
And to further one's studies, one had to read even more classics.
Many rare and precious books were in the hands of powerful clans; possessing these books was essential for their survival.
A family's legacy was built on farming and scholarship; having farmland and being literate ensured longevity.
Yuan Shao returned to Bohai and learned that Lu Ming had taken all his wives and concubines away.
He was not angry.
Instead, he sought to wash away the shame.
During his time in Heishan, he was subjected to the advances of men every day.
Now, whenever he felt the urge to defecate, he would leak before even reaching the toilet; his buttocks simply couldn't be held in place.
All of this was caused by Lu Ming. Yuan Shao had become more composed, and he would seek revenge at all costs.
"Lu Ming is cruel and inhumane, bullying the young new emperor, disregarding the law, and defiling the Empress Dowager. He deserves to die. Chen Lin, you draft this proclamation and send it to the other governors. I will personally go to Youzhou to discuss countermeasures with Liu Yu."
After refusing visitors for several days, Yuan Shao summoned Chen Lin to his residence and gave him some instructions.
Chen Lin's greatest strength was his ability to draft proclamations. In ancient times, military campaigns emphasized having a just cause.
As long as one stood on the moral high ground, their actions could be beautified as righteous, and their soldiers would be more motivated.
A just cause didn't guarantee success, but without a righteous justification, failure was certain.
"Yes, my lord."
The action was swift; a month later, even Sun Jian in Changsha received Yuan Shao's proclamation.
He felt neither good nor badwill towards Lu Ming.
He simply harbored a deep hatred for Dong Zhuo. In the days following Lu Ming's departure, the prefects also began to leave one after another, despite the somewhat farcical nature of the enthronement ceremony.
But an emperor is an emperor, even a young one.
Sun Jian went to Dong Zhuo's house for a banquet, only to return to find his home burglarized.
His wife, Lady Wu, and daughter, Sun Shangxiang, had been stolen.
He had taken the two sisters, but they were gone.
His son, Sun Ce, had also been beaten and had one leg broken. He didn't know who the two attackers were.
He was certain it was Dong Zhuo, but lacked evidence.
After returning to Chenliu, Cao Cao began recruiting soldiers, seemingly poised to march into Luoyang and break through Hangu Pass.
Initially, under the guise of avenging their cousin Cao Hong, the Cao and Xiahou clans were filled with fervent righteousness.
However, not long after, a personal letter from Cao Hong arrived, demanding a ransom to secure his release and requesting Cao Cao's help in selling his property and sending him to Hangu Pass.
This nearly drove Cao Cao to his wits' end. He had assumed Cao Hong was dead, believing that a desperate army would surely prevail.
But Cao Hong was alive!
One moment he was grieving for Cao Hong's supposed death, channeling his grief and anger into strength. The next moment, news arrived that Cao Hong was still alive.
He didn't know whether to be sad or happy; his feelings were complex.
Yuan Shu of Yangzhou, on the other hand, showed considerable disdain upon receiving the proclamation.
His grudge against Lu Ming wasn't particularly deep; it was a matter of enmity between the Yuan clan and Lu Ming.
Although he was also a member of the Yuan clan, the situation here was far more complex.
He didn't necessarily need to inherit the Yuan family fortune. He only needed to gather his father's followers, occupy the wealthy lands of Yangzhou, and develop his forces over time. With ample supplies and resources, he wouldn't lack strength.
"Heh, a joint campaign against Lu Ming? Yan Xiang, what do you think?"
Yuan Shu sat upright in the head seat.
At this time, he hadn't yet obtained the Imperial Jade, so naturally he had no intention of becoming emperor.
However, he was quite interested in the proposal of being granted the title of king.
Although Emperor Gaozu of Han had made a white horse oath with his ministers, what era was this? More than three hundred years had passed; it was time for a change.
Yan Xiang, Yuan Shu's chief strategist, was loyal, diligent, and highly intelligent, a strategist Yuan Shu relied on greatly: "My lord," he said, "the Han dynasty governs with filial piety. Now that your family is in trouble, it is inevitable that you will step forward to punish Lu Ming."
"That's only natural."
Yuan Shu hadn't considered not going. Even a fool would understand the importance of having a legitimate claim.
"But Yuan Shao has issued so many proclamations, and with so many warlords gathering, who will provide the provisions? And who will be the leader of the alliance?"
"Naturally, it will be chosen between Yuan Shao and you, my lord. If you are interested, you might try to become the leader. Even if you can't capture Hangu Pass one day, you can still unite the warlords and expand your territory."
Yan Xiang's words were straightforward; it was about making a name for himself to facilitate his actions.
The leader of the alliance must have a good reputation, so it was worth the effort.
"If we can seize the position of alliance leader, Yangzhou's wealth will provide sufficient support for the time being. This battle must be resolved quickly, not delayed, otherwise logistical supplies will be insufficient."
Yuan Shao nodded in deep agreement:
"You will reply to Yuan Shao on this matter."
When Lu Ming received the message, he was still riding on Lü Lingqi, impregnating the alluring young woman.
Upon opening the letter, he saw that it was still about the eighteen warlords attacking him.
The assembled officials were: Yuan Shu, General of the Rear and Prefect of Nanyang; Han Fu, Governor of Ji Province; Kong Zhou, Governor of Yu Province; Liu Dai, Governor of Yan Province; Wang Kuang, Prefect of Henei Commandery; Zhang Miao, Prefect of Chenliu Commandery; Qiao Mao, Prefect of Dong Commandery; Yuan Yi, Prefect of Shanyang Commandery; Bao Xin, Chancellor of Jibei Commandery; Kong Rong, Prefect of Beihai Commandery; Zhang Chao, Prefect of Guangling Commandery; Gongsun Zan, Prefect of Beiping Commandery; Zhang Yang, Prefect of Shangdang Commandery; Sun Jian, Marquis of Wucheng and Prefect of Changsha Commandery; Yuan Shao, Marquis of Qixiang and Prefect of Bohai Commandery; Cao Cao, Colonel of the Valiant Cavalry; Dong Zhuo, Chancellor; and Tao Qian, Governor of Xu Province.
Ma Teng was replaced by Dong Zhuo; the others remained the same.
Lu Ming searched high and low, but couldn't find Liu Bei, Guan Yu, or Zhang Fei, and didn't know if they were mixed in with the others.
*Thud!*
Lu Ming suddenly thrust his penis to its deepest point, even forcing open the tightly closed cervix slightly.
His lower abdomen and Lü Lingqi's buttocks were pressed tightly together, his penis and her vagina without any barrier.
His large mouth forcefully sucked on Lü Lingqi's small, fragrant tongue, ejaculating wave after wave of thicker semen into her wet vagina during the kiss!
"Mmm!"
Lü Lingqi's delicate body tensed to its limit, convulsing uncontrollably, her vagina spasming in waves.
This was beyond her control, a natural reaction of her body under extreme pleasure!
Her lower abdomen was slightly swollen.
This was because the large amount of semen had entered her uterus, causing the uterus to expand and push against her belly, resulting in this bulge.